The January-released action-comedy sub-genre gets another shameful entry with "Mortdecai." It's one of Johnny Depp's most bizarre and outlandish roles, and for an actor as eccentric as he is, that's really saying something.

Based on the novel "Don't Point That Thing at Me," and directed by David Koepp, the film is a showcase for Depp, who goes typically overboard with his costume and accent as British art collector Charlie Mortdecai. He's contacted by an Mi5 agent (Ewan McGregor) to help find a mysterious stolen painting, which leads to a bumbling journey around the world with his manservant/thug Jock Strapp (Paul Bettany). Gwyneth Paltrow tries to bring a little playfulness to a dull comedy with a plot that never really engages. Jeff Goldblum and Olivia Munn also turn up in small, thankless roles.

The funniest bits are the digs everyone takes at Mortdecai's twirly, pointy new mustache. In the middle of the film's many Pink Panther-meets-Mr. Bean action sequences, there are enough jokes about accidental shootings, vomiting and groin injuries to keep a 10-year-old boy interested for about 30 minutes. Unfortunately, "Mortdecai" is rated R and runs 106 minutes.